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Seashells of the World (A Golden Guide from St. Martin's Press) by Abbott, R. Tucker (2001) Paperback
This introduction to the world of marine seashells emphasizes the most attractive and best-known species. This guide will help you the beautiful shells you see and collectNo other animals are so widely collected, traded, or bought and sold because of their beauty and rarity.
Paperback
First published January 1, 1962
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About the author
R. Tucker Abbott
60 booksRobert Tucker Abbott was an American conchologist and malacologist. He was the author of more than 30 books on malacology, which were translated into many languages.
Abbott was one of the most prominent conchologists of the 20th century. He brought conchology to the public with his works, including most notably: American Seashells, 1974, Seashells of the World, 1962, and The Kingdom of the Seashell, 1972. He was an active member of the American Malacological Union and Conchologists of America.
During World War II, Abbott was first a Navy bomber pilot, and later worked for the Medical Research Unit doing research on schistosomiasis. He documented the life cycle of the schistosome in the Oncomelania, a small brown freshwater snail, which he studied in the rice fields of the Yangtze valley.
He married Mary M. Sisler on February 18, 1946. She was also a malacologist.
After World War II, Abbott worked at the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution (1944–1954) as Assistant Curator and Associate Curator of the Department of Mollusks. During this time, he earned his Master's and Ph.D. at George Washington University and wrote the first edition of American Seashells.
He then went to the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia (1954–1969). He was chair of the Department of Mollusks, and held the Pilsbry Chair of Malacology. During that time he went on a number of shelling expeditions to the Indo-Pacific region. He also started his own journal, "Indo-Pacific Mollusca". He also was an active editor on "The Nautilus"
In 1969, Abbott accepted the DuPont Chair of Malacology at the Delaware Museum of Natural History. He also headed the Department of Mollusks, and was Assistant Director. In 1971 he became editor-in-chief of The Nautilus.
Abbott was the Founding Director of The Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum on Sanibel Island. He died from pulmonary disease in 1995, two weeks before the museum opened. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R._Tucke...
Abbott was one of the most prominent conchologists of the 20th century. He brought conchology to the public with his works, including most notably: American Seashells, 1974, Seashells of the World, 1962, and The Kingdom of the Seashell, 1972. He was an active member of the American Malacological Union and Conchologists of America.
During World War II, Abbott was first a Navy bomber pilot, and later worked for the Medical Research Unit doing research on schistosomiasis. He documented the life cycle of the schistosome in the Oncomelania, a small brown freshwater snail, which he studied in the rice fields of the Yangtze valley.
He married Mary M. Sisler on February 18, 1946. She was also a malacologist.
After World War II, Abbott worked at the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution (1944–1954) as Assistant Curator and Associate Curator of the Department of Mollusks. During this time, he earned his Master's and Ph.D. at George Washington University and wrote the first edition of American Seashells.
He then went to the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia (1954–1969). He was chair of the Department of Mollusks, and held the Pilsbry Chair of Malacology. During that time he went on a number of shelling expeditions to the Indo-Pacific region. He also started his own journal, "Indo-Pacific Mollusca". He also was an active editor on "The Nautilus"
In 1969, Abbott accepted the DuPont Chair of Malacology at the Delaware Museum of Natural History. He also headed the Department of Mollusks, and was Assistant Director. In 1971 he became editor-in-chief of The Nautilus.
Abbott was the Founding Director of The Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum on Sanibel Island. He died from pulmonary disease in 1995, two weeks before the museum opened. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R._Tucke...
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
October 27, 2025
A wonderful reference book. And gorgeously vintage as well.
October 6, 2024
Surprisingly comprehensive pocket-sized guide, and certainly one of the earliest. Continue to be amazed that so many of these guides are illustrated with paintings rather than photos—man, that is a LOT of work!
September 11, 2019
My version is a little outdated in that it encourages pillaging of the environment and a slight disregard to the natural world... That said, it's very thorough and informative and the illustrations are wonderful.
May 5, 2020
Best book i have ever read
November 1, 2020
Lovely illustrations of common sea shells.
February 13, 2021
Pretty pictures. It shows the different major groups, but it doesn't highlight what to look for to identify a shell to that major group. Without that, it's more of a picture book than a guide.
February 11, 2021
It was kinda good.
December 15, 2011
I bought this book when I was a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Philippines. I used it to check off some of the shells I have in my collection, especially the ones that I got while I was there. On of my prizes is a Zambo Murex found on p. 75 of this little guide. I met Mr. Evaristo Zambo who discovered this species and have his autograph in my book!
June 30, 2014
A useful guide for the beginning seashell collector. Contains color photos as well as descriptions and locations. It is easy to use and suitable for middle age children.
November 16, 2017
This Golden Guide book looks at sea shells from all over the world. It is very comprehensive, and it is organized by animal type
June 22, 2017
Probably my favorite of these. I loved taking it on vacation.
September 6, 2012
Good simple introduction.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews